I tuned back into the conversation when Anna asked, “What brought you here?” I listened eagerly, hoping for some clue to Jess’ background.
“My dad. My parents got divorced and I chose to live with my dad.”
“Here?” Anna’s disbelief echoed my own. Banks was a tiny town buried in thousands of acres of dense forest. The perfect place for a pack of wolves, but not really a place for outsiders.
I turned my head slightly so I could see her face and from the reluctance on it I didn’t expect an answer.
“It seemed like an adventure,” she finally replied and I muffled a snort.
She had no idea.
Her next words baffled me though. “And my brother’s four.”
“A little young for me then,” Anna answered, easing back on the questions and I nodded approvingly. I didn’t want to push Jess away and risk the Alpha deciding to do things his way. She already questioned us and our motives, but I could feel her curiosity and was banking on it being strong enough to keep her interested.
“So what’s an outsider doing at your table?” Her blunt question was followed almost instantly by the bell ringing, and I had to squash the urge to laugh at the frustration on her face.
“I don’t see any outsiders at our table,” Anna replied, the words barely a murmur over the clatter of trays and students. She glanced at me as she slid through the students and I dipped my head, acknowledging her, and watched as her back straightened in pride.
Caleb’s voice caught my attention as he told Jess, “Glad you joined us today,” and only the fact that she didn’t respond to his charming smile kept me from snarling. He winked behind her back so only I could see, laughing over the Pack link at my reaction.
My stare promised retribution as he left the cafeteria but he didn’t appear concerned as he wrapped an arm around Anna’s shoulders, whispering in her ear as they exited. Jess wandered out behind them, an inscrutable expression on her face that I couldn’t decipher, leaving me frustrated.
“Dom,” a soft voice purred, dragging my attention from Jess, and causing my left eye to twitch.
“Lauren,” I replied flatly.
“I see you’ve taken an interest in the new student,” she remarked, trying and failing to hide her jealousy. I shook my head, holding in a sigh at her attitude. She was a beautiful woman, but she could never hold my attention like Jess. Biology had made it impossible and I was tired of trying to be nice as I staved off her relentless advances.
“Careful, Lauren, green isn’t really your color,” I commented, satisfaction coursing through me at her shocked expression.
She sputtered, her face growing red, as she said, “As if.” A sneer contorted her face as she added, “A student, Dom? You should have just told me you prefer jailbait.”
“Careful, Lauren, you don’t want to make false accusations.” There was no mistaking the threat in my voice as she took a step back, her face paling. “I would hate for there to be repercussions.”
I strode out of the cafeteria before she could respond, grateful Lauren only taught sophomore classes and Jess wouldn’t be exposed to her. I headed for the Field House, ready to burn off the excess energy surging through me, when the scent of another shifter hit me.
I changed course instantly, jogging to the edge of the open field where trees gave protective cover, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one saw me disappear into the shadowed forest.
“I sensed a disturbance in the force,” he joked, the sardonic twist of his mouth familiar despite the fact it had been two years since I’d last seen him. “Thought I would check in.”
I clapped him on the shoulder, a genuine smile lighting my face, and felt some of the stiffness ease from him. He hadn’t been sure of his welcome, and he’d still come. I cleared my throat and told him, “I’m glad to see you.”
“I wasn’t far,” he mumbled around the sucker in his mouth, rolling his shoulders uncomfortably. “Figured it couldn’t hurt to swing by.” His gaze swept the ground searchingly. “I am on the right side of the line, aren’t I?”
A laugh rumbled through my chest at his semi-joking question. I nodded, pointing to the other side of the field. “Pack lands start there and extend east and north, covers about two hundred and fifty square miles. Hanley land is to the northwest.”
“And we don’t like the Hanleys,” he confirmed, gnawing on the white paper stick as he eyed me. “Bad MFers who stole your sister.”
“Yeah,” I answered, rubbing my neck as reality set in. While I was glad to see him, his presence caused other issues.
“I can go,” he offered, his feet already moving.
“No,” I said sharply and he instantly stilled. “Sorry,” I muttered, waving my hand in apology. He just shook his head, waiting for me to explain. “It would be good if you stayed…..just complicated,” I admitted reluctantly and he nodded, still not speaking. I met his eyes for a second before he dropped them and a pained smile twisted my mouth. “There’s a girl.”